Net neutrality, the sacred rule of the Internet, says that no form of content is favored over any. Net neutrality is something that needs to end for big companies to succeed more. . Net neutrality crusaders want the Federal Communications Commission to nix the Google/Verizon axis. The FCC has no control over what happens with net neutrality after the Comcast decision from last April stating the FCC has no authority over internet issues.
Net neutrality compromises
Net neutrality talks are taking place with Internet stakeholders and FCC officials. Internet stakeholders consist of Google, Verizon, AT and T, Skype, cable companies and also the Open Internet Coalition. As outlined by the New York Times, FCC’s legal authority about Internet regulation is what is being discussed. Most of the cable and telephone companies really hope a premium could be made for higher bandwidths. All companies that are wireless hope there will be no wireless broadband regulation. Content providers prefer the concept of favoritism. The FCC Comcast decision makes it difficult for the FCC to enforce what they want which is a level playing field.
Google and Verizon want a change
Google and Verizon have been making deals while Internet Stakeholder and FCC are discussing net neutrality issues. Google and Verizon both hate net neutrality, reports Bloomberg. Verizon wants free reign to charge more for higher speeds to make as much money as it can get away with. Google wants to remain the top dog in the business which means they’d hope for a little regulation in their favor. Net neutrality is a thing of the past and Google has realized that. Google may just be making a deal with Verizon to make certain they are in with another good company before every little thing goes crazy.
Corporate takeover
A Google-Verizon deal alarms consumer advocates, who say it starts a trend that gives a few mega-corporations control over what has been a free and open web where consumers decide which companies succeed. Save the Internet paints a nightmare scenario where Google products get priority depending on commercial deals. Chrome would work better than other browsers. Twitter wouldn’t be nearly as good as Google Buzz. YouTube would get more bandwidth than competing video sites. Google’s Blogger would get special treatment over WordPress. Skype wouldn’t do as well as Google’s GChat, and that’s just the start of the list.
Winners and losers picked with Google and Verizon making a deal
There might be different winners and losers on the Internet because of the Google/Verizon deal, reports the Wall Street Journal. Content could be put into different streams of internet. Charges can be higher with prioritized content. The FCC will no longer have control over the internet. There can be nothing left to keep big corporations from taking over without the least bit of competition. Surfing the Internet could be just like watching TV eventually when there’s nothing to look at.
The only thing standing in the way is the FCC and the courts.
Additional reading
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/08/05/technology/05secret.html?_r=1
Bloomberg
bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-04/google-verizon-are-said-to-have-reached-deal-on-how-to-handle-web-traffic.html
Save the Internet
savetheinternet.com/blog/10/08/06/about-verizongoogle-deal-net-neutrality
Wall Street Journal
blogs.wsj.com/source/2010/08/09/winners-losers-from-the-new-net-neutrality/
